Breech-actuating mechanism of semi-automatic and quick-firing guns.



A. T. DAWSON de G. T. BUGKHAM. BRBBGH AGTUATING MBGHANISM 0F SEMLAUTOMATIG AND QUICKHRING GUNS. APPLICATION FILED APRA, 1912` f Petentea Feb.24,1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. 'I'. DAWSON L G. T. 'BU'CKH-AM.

BREBGH ACTUATING MEGHANISM 0F SEMI-AUTOMATIC AND QUICK FIRING GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1912.

1,088,211, l PatentedFeb.24, 1914.

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A. Tlv DAWSON L G. T. BUGKHAM. BRBEGH AGTUATING MEGHANISM 0F SEMI-AUTOMATIC AND QUICK HEIN@ GUNS.

APPLIGATEON FILED APR. 1, 1912.

1,088,21 l Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

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unLUMBIA PLArfoGRAPH co.. WASMINQTON. n. c.

A. T. DAWSON da G. T. BUCKHAM.

`BREEGH AGTUATING MEGHANISM 0F SEMI-AUTOMATIC AND QUICK FIRING GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1912.

1,088,21 1 K Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

@p14 /nww -dle at the same time.

nutren stares PATENT onirica.

ARTHUR TREVOR DAWSON AND GEORGE THOMAS BUCKI-IAM, OF WESTMINSTER, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS T0 VICKZERSY LIMITED, 0F WESTMINSTER,

ENGLAND.

BREEGI-I-ACTUATING MECHANISM 0F SlllVIIAU'IOlvIA'lICV AND QUICK-FIBING GUNS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Y Patented Feb, 24, 1914s.

Application filed April 1, 1912.V Serial No. 687,576.

- ing to the Breech-Actuating Mechanism of Semi-Automatic and Quick-Firing Guns, of which the following is a specification.

rIhis invention relates to the breech actuating` mechanism of semi-automatic guns of thejkind that can be converted into quick firing guns; in this type of gun we havealready proposed to provide two catch devices one of which is adapted toV lock the breech actuating hand lever tothe gun when the latter is to be worked semiautornatically and the other to lock the hand lever to the block actuating spindle when the gun'is to be worked vas a quick tirer.

According to the present invention we so construct and arrange the said catch devices that the one for causing the hand lever to be `locked to the actuating spindle cannot be moved into its locking posit-ion without effecting the disengagement of the other catch device. In this manner it is impossible when the gun is working semi-automati cally for the parts to be damaged as a result of the hand lever being unintentionally locked to the gun and to the actuating spin- The connection between the catch devices is also such that the catch device for locking the hand lever to the gun is capable of being disengaged Without disturbing the catch device appertaining to the actuating spindle, so that if the breech block should fail to return to the closed position when the gun is workingV semi-automatically, the actuating hand levercan be moved into a position such that the last mentioned catch device engages with the actuating spindle, whereupon the latterV can be moved by hand. The last mentioned catch device is preferably made in the form of a pivoted lever carried by the actuating hand lever; itisnormally retained `disengaged from the actuating spindle and is adapted to move into engagement therewith by the act of grasping the handle of the hand lever. During this movement the said pivoted lever, or a member appertaining thereto, eects the disengagement of the catch device that locks the handlever to the In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect we will describe the same more fully with reference to the 4 accompanying drawings Vin which Figures l and 2 are respectively an end and a side elevation, Figs. 3 andA 4l are sectional end and side elevations, and Fig. 5 is a plan, showing one constructie-nal form of Vour improvements. Figs. 6, 7 8, 9 and l() are views similar to Figs. 1,2, 3,4, and 5 respectively showing another constructional form of our improvements.

In all these figures like letters of reference indicate similar parts. y

A is a portion of the breech end of the gun, B the breech actuating hand lever, BX lits handleand B the blockactuating spin- C represents the catch device for locking the hand lever to the actuating spindle (herein referred to as the quick firing catch) .and D represents the catch device for locking the hand' lever to the gun (herein referred to as the semi-automatic catch In the type of breech actuating mechanism to which our invention is shown applied by way of example, the actuatingspindle B is provided with a toothed segment B2 that engages with a spring controlled rack contained in a case or cavity B3 forming part of the breech actuating hand lever B, in a similar manner to that set forth in the specitication of our British application for Patent No. 19,847 of 1910.` Thequick firingv catch C is, in the examples shown, in the form of a lever pivoted at c to the hand lever B, and its forward end is adapted toV engage in a recess b2V of the toot-hed seg-Y ment B2. Y

In the constructional forms ofthe invention shown, in which the improvementspare shown applied to an actuating .hand lever the handle of Vwhich' projects beyond the face of the breech, so that the semi-automatic catch 'D cannot conveniently be situated within the handle, the quick tiring catch C is adapted to be under the control of a spring C', and is under the influence of a grip lever E carried by the handle as shown in the drawings.

The semi-automatic catch D is of the spring controlled plunger type and is, in the eXamples now being described, carried by the gun and adapted to engage in a pocket B0 in the hand lever B. 'Ihe said cat-ch is under the influence of an operating lever F pivoted at 7 to the hand lever and provided with an arm f that bears against the semi- Y automatic catch D and with a projecting portion F by which the said operating lever can be actuated. Y Y

The function of the various parts is such that it is impossible to cause the quick firing catch C to engage with the recess .712 of the pinion B2 without moving the semi-automatic catch D into the unlocking position, while at the same time the semi-automatic catch D can, by means of the operating lever F, be moved out of engagement with the actuating hand lever without moving the quick ring catch.

Modifications of the broad idea herein disclosed are described and claimed in our divisional applications, Serial Nos. 760,350 and 760,351, filed April 11, 1918.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In the breech actuating mechanism of semi-automatic and quick firing guns, the combination with the breech actuating hand lever and the block actuating spindle, of means for locking the hand lever to the gun, means for locking the hand lever to the spindle, and means for inter-connecting said locking means so'that they cannot both be in their locking positions at the'same time, and means whereby the means for locking the hand lever to the gun can be disengaged without moving the other locking means.

2. In the breech actuating mechanism of semi-autoinatic and quick firing guns, the combination wit-h the breech actuating hand lever and the block actuating spindle, of a catch device for locking the hand lever to the gun, a catch device for locking the hand lever to the spindle, and means for interconnecting said catch devices so that they cannot both be in their locking positions at the same time, and means whereby the catch device for locking the hand lever to the gun can be disengaged without moving the other catch device. Y

8. In the breech actuating mechanism-of semi-automatic and quick tiring guns, theV combination with the breech actuating hand lever and the block actuating spindle, of a the last mentioned catch Agaged without moving the i'irst mentioned Y catch device.

catch device, means for normally retaining said device out of engagement with the spindle, a second catch device for locking the hand lever to the gun, means whereby the grasping of the hand lever moves the rst-mentioned catch device into engagement with the spindle, and moves the second catch device out of operative engagement between the lever and the gun, and means whereby the last mentioned catch device can Vbe disengaged Without moving the first mentioned catch device.

4l. In the breech actuating mechanism of semi-automatic and quick firing guns, the combination with the breech actuating hand "lever and the block actuating spindle, of a toothed segment on said spindle, a catch device, means for. normally retaining said device out of engagement with the segment, a second catch device for locking the hand Alever to the gun.I means whereby the grasp- :ing of the hand lever moves the iirst-mentioned catch device into engagement with the segment, and moves the second catch device out of operative engagement between the lever and the gun, and means whereby device can be disen- 5. In the breech actuating mechanism of semi-automatic and quick liring guns, the combination with the breech actuating hand =lever and the block actuating spindle, of a pivoted lever on the hand lever, a second pivoted lever on said hand lever arranged below the rst mentioned pivoted lever, an extension on said second lever, and a spring controlled plunger on the gun for engaging with the hand lever and in contact with said second lever.

6. In the breech actuating mechanism of semi-automatic and quick firing guns, the combination with the brech actuating hand lever and the block actuating spindle, of a pivoted lever on the hand lever, a second pivoted lever on said hand lever, a grip lever cooperating with the first mentioned pivoted lever, an extension on said second lever and a spring controlled, plunger on the gun for engaging with the hand lever and in contact with said second lever.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR TREVOR DAVSON. GEORGE THOMAS BUCKHAM.

Witnesses:

HENRY KING, JN0. R. CAswELL.

'Copies' ef Vthis patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington,V D. C. 

